by Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports

by Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports

Tony Allen was fouled. He was thrown to the ground on a layup attempt. But he didn't hit his head.

The Memphis Grizzlies guard was fined $5,000 Friday by the NBA for his acting job after a flagrant foul by San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili during Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. Allen was going up for a shot in transition when Ginobili, trailing close behind, grabbed his arm to keep him from making the layup.

Allen then hit the court and rolled over, head in hands, acting as though he had taken a faceful of hardwood. Replays showed he did not hit his head at all, and ESPN's commentators caught it quickly.

The foul probably warranted the flagrant it drew, as Ginobili reached out for Allen's left hand despite the ball being in his right. But the NBA's policy is geared to make it more difficult for players to influence officiating, and Allen's hysterics came before the flagrant decision was made.

Officials did have a chance to go to the video replay and evaluate the play further, and they stuck to their ruling. It was a key play, as Allen made two free throws to make it a two-point game, and the Grizzlies then used the possession from the flagrant to tie it up and send it to overtime.

The Spurs won 93-89 in overtime. But it's tough to imagine Allen regrets his acting job.